High carbon holidays in Antarctica

Once solely the preserve of intrepid explorers, Antarctica has become the latest hip destination for tourists. Arriving aboard luxury cruise ships, 78,000 tourists are expected to set foot on the hitherto pristine, ice-covered continent between March and November.

This growing trend also presents the paradox that each tourist is wilfully contributing 5 tonnes of CO2 emissions journeying to a continent already suffering the devastating effects of global warming. Karin Strand is in charge of expeditions for the Norwegian company operating this ship.

Karin Strand: "It's a hybrid-powered expedition ship which is the first of its kind. It is a comfortable bubble in a very, very inhospitable environment."

Whilst providing a very relaxed and plush cocoon, the passengers on board are explorers and not merely holidaymakers and as such, every effort has been taken to enable their expeditions.

Paul Ranheim: "As you see, we have made a zigzag set for the route up so that it's easy to walk. You don't walk straight ahead. You can say that we are preparing the adventure."

Onboard entertainment also contains an ecological twist, offering libraries, microscopes and lectures, in addition to forays onto the icy sea led by scientists.

Allison Cusick is one of the biologists on staff.

Allison Cusick: "You have passengers coming down, which provides a great opportunity for them to be involved in actual science that's going on, in a region of the world where we don't have a lot of data."

Verena Meraldi works as a scientific expedition organiser.

Verena Meraldi: "We are also increasing the awareness of our guests on the problems of climate change, for example, and the many changes that are taking place."

Despite this, the central question still stands, should such high levels of tourism be permitted? Weniger anzeigen